Dan Brannan is Content Director of RiverBender and EdGlenToday.com. Dan started at Riverbender.com/Edglentoday.com in December 2014. He is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL with degrees in Journalism and Psychology. Having previously served as the Executive Editor of The Telegraph in Alton, his 17-year tenure led the paper to over 350 awards including several General Excellence awards in the Illinois Press Association, Illinois Associated Press, Freedom Communications, Southern Illinois Editorial Association and Journal Register Company contests. Brannan was chosen to lead Freedom Communications' national pilot on social media.
He is the author of eight nonfiction books including: "The Courage to Live," a biography about Donna Gustavel, a young woman with multiple disabilities; "Everyday Angels," an inspirational book of moving human interest stories; "Live Life to the Fullest: Stories of People Coping With Diabetes" which is endorsed by the American Diabetes Association; "Boy Giant: The Story of Robert Wadlow The World's Tallest Man;" "Damn Cold and Starving" written with Sgt. Marion Ray; "You Can't Kill the Dream" co-written with fellow journalist Ande Yakstis; and "A Life in Parts," the story of Loretta Goebel and endorsed by Beatle Paul McCartney.
Dan, an avid exercise enthusiast, is a member of the American Diabetes Association and lives in Maryville. Dan has two children in college - Savannah and Sierra.
ALTON — City workers were seen once again throughout Alton on Wednesday morning, Jan. 28, 2026, clearing snow and debris left by a massive winter storm that struck the area over the weekend. The city crew was viewed in the morning on Third Street in the cleanup role. The cleanup efforts...
GRANITE CITY — Head Coach Ron Twichell has played a pivotal role in revitalizing the Granite City High School girls basketball program, leading the Warriors to a 16-5 overall record at this point in the 2025-2026 season. Twichell, who took over as head coach of the Warriors before the 2024-2025...
ALTON — United Steelworkers Local 3643 members learned Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, that Alton Steel will be closing its operations, a decision communicated simultaneously to the union executive board and company employees, according to union president Scott Hall. Since the announcement on Jan....
JERSEY — Two students from Jersey Community High School’s construction class have built a specialized training prop for the QEM Fire District designed to improve firefighter safety during emergency responses. Bryant Henderson and Lincoln Diamond constructed an entanglement trap at the...
ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School senior Keller Jacobs reached a milestone by scoring his 100th career goal for the Alton Redbird Club Hockey team during a 3-0 victory against Triad. The game took place recently, marking a significant achievement for Jacobs and the team. Jacobs is an Auto...
ALTON - Caiden Jockisch, a junior at Marquette Catholic High School, recently achieved a significant milestone in his hockey career by recording his 1,000th varsity save during Alton's hockey team's recent game. The achievement highlights Jockisch’s dedication and skill as a goaltender for...
ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School senior Corbin Barnard is set to compete in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) State Bowling Finals starting on Jan. 30, 2026, in O’Fallon. Barnard earned his spot by finishing fifth with a score of 1,361 at the Minooka Sectional competition,...
ALTON - The Marquette Catholic High School dance team has qualified for the state competition scheduled this week in Bloomington. The dance team, coached by Megan Stevenson, earned the opportunity to compete in the state finals after a successful season. The dancers representing Marquette Catholic...
EDWARDSVILLE - The region has an abundance of girls wrestling talent and it was on display this past Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in the 618 Meet at EHS Wrestling Center. Collinsville took five first places, along with two seconds and a third, outwrestled the field in winning the 618 girls wrestling...
HIGHLAND - Noemi Abbati, an exchange student from Italy currently attending Highland High School, is making a notable impact on the student body this semester. According to Todd Strong, a social studies teacher at the school, Abbati’s openness in sharing her culture and perspectives is helpin...
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